Zarate hits regulatory board for approving provisional toll hike

Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate on Wednesday chided the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) for approving a provisional toll hike to be implemented in the closed system between Marilao, Bulacan and Sta. Ines, Mabalacat, Pampanga.

Saying the toll increase would only put more burden on the riding public, Zarate questioned why the TRB has approved the toll hike when hearings for such have yet to be called.

"This proposed hikes are very questionable because of lack of transparency. Up till now these expressway operators have yet to give us a copy of their Supplemental Toll Operations Agreement (STOA) that we have requested since more than three years ago," he said.

"The refusal of the parties involved in the STOA to disclose the contents of the said contract arouses suspicions of over-collection and over-compensation in favor of these companies," he added.

TRB spokesperson Albert Suansing on Tuesday said the P0.25 per kilometer provisional toll hike will take effect on November 6.

"The 25-centavo add-on rate will be reflective on the stretch from Marilao North to Sta. Ines, yung open system which is yung P45 hindi magagalaw 'yon," he said.

The regular toll rate of P218 will effectively be increased to P236 for the stretch between Marilao and Santa Ines.

The TRB approved the petition of the Manila North Tollway Corp. to increase the toll rate at the North Luzon Expressway in order to regain their costs on road projects, Suansing said.

Zarate, however, believes that the proposed toll hikes have no basis.

"In the last four years, these expressway companies have been earning P2.3-P2.99 billion income. They are hardly at the losing end of the deal, they just want to rake in more profits," he said.

He added that the Congress may also investigate the toll increase.

Meanwhile, the toll rate for the open system from Balintawak to the boundary of closed system in Marilao will stay at P45 for Class 1 vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, SUVs, and jeepneys.

Class 2 vehicles such as buses and light trucks will still be charged P114 and Class 3 vehicles (heavy trucks) with P136. — MDM/BM, GMA News